If you heat and cool your home with the help of an HVAC unit, then you rely on a system of ducts to direct air to the rooms in your home. Unfortunately, over time this ductwork can accumulate a number of indoor contaminants—including pollen, dust, pet hair, and even mold spores—and continuously recycle them into the air you breathe. However, with regular air duct cleaning, you can prevent these pollutants from causing year-long allergy problems or creating more serious respiratory health conditions.

What Does Air Duct Cleaning Entail?

Every three to five years, you should hire a professional air duct technician to clean all accumulated debris from your system. Before actually removing any debris, they will most likely use a special camera with direct-view periscopes and a hand-held mirror to locate any contamination. Then, they will place your entire system under a continuous negative pressure to prevent the contaminants from spreading while cleaning. Once this setup is in place, they will employ agitation devices, such as hand-cleaning brushes and whips, to loosen the detritus and use either portable vacuums or truck-mounted equipment to absorb it.

Why Do You Need Air Duct Cleaning in the Winter?

If you are like most homeowners, your HVAC system gets a heavy workout during winter. Having a technician clean your ducts can prevent many common problems that occur this time of the year including:

• High Energy Bills: Your system is already working hard to keep you warm. However, if it is dirty, it has to perform extra labor to put out the same amount of air. This can quickly cause your monthly utility bill to skyrocket.
• Extra Illnesses: When it’s cold out, you’re forced to be inside around people for much longer periods. This is believed to be why the flu and other illnesses are so common during this time of year. Unfortunately, if your air ducts are dirty, they can hold on to pollutants that can make you and your family sick.
• Fires: Dust and lint are two of the most common contaminants found in dirty air ducts. When this type of debris gets overheated, it could ignite and cause a fire within the ducts that can quickly spread throughout your home.

Keep your mind at ease and your family protected from sickness this winter by calling Air Pro Duct Cleaning. These technicians provide full-system residential air duct cleaning to those in the Columbia Falls, MT, and surrounding area. You can schedule a free quote today by calling (406) 752-0652 or visit their website to learn more about their process.